CAIRO – Egypt's official news agency says the Cabinet has set a minimum wage for government employees and workers to 1,200 Egyptian pounds, or 175 dollars.

MENA said the decision announced Wednesday will take effect in January. It quoted Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi as saying that the decision is meant to "ensure decent life for citizens." The government is considering setting a minimum wage for private sector employees but has yet to decide on such measures, the agency said.

Last year, the government adjusted minimum wages to 100 dollars.

A minimum wage has been a longtime demand of Egypt's workers, who participated in the 2011 revolt that ousted longtime president Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt's military-backed government, appointed after the overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, has promised new measures to boost the economy.